Zimbabwe thumped by Pakistan to a Khurrram Manzoor 141-ball century

The Zimbabweans went in to the final fourth day leading by 172 runs in the second innings with seven wickets in hand and a realistic chance of at least avoiding defeat. But poor bowling allowed the tourists to stroll home quite easily at the end.

The Zimbabweans, resuming overnight at 210 for three, added 94 runs as they struggled against the new ball, especially the pace and swing of right-armer Anwar Ali, whom the top-order had handled quite comfortably on day three.

Timycen Maruma, who looked good when the Zimbabweans were offered the light the previous afternoon, added just four runs before he was bowled by Anwar for 60.

The only batsman on the day to face up to the Pakistanis was skipper Graeme Cremer (35).

The pick of the bowlers, whom Khurram rotated cleverly, was the off-spinner Raheel Maheed, who dismissed Sam Mwakayeni, Regis Chakabva and Prince Masvaure to end with a four-wicket haul.

Pakistan Academy cleaned up the Zimbabwe tail 20 minutes after lunch, facing a target of 267. They did that with aggression, their opening batsmen Raheel Majeed and Manzoor putting on 91. Majeed was particularly belligerent, scoring 63 runs off 43 balls, smashing six fours and two sixes.

Fawad Alam, fresh from his first innings century, scored nine before he was caught behind by Regis Chakabva off right-arm seamer Mike Chinouya. But from there it was smooth sailing for the tourists, runs coming too softly against a weak attack.

Khurram stepped up a gear up as the bowling deteriorated; the line and length was atrocious and there was no genuine pace ball from the seamers. He found the boundary eight times in his innings, falling to left-arm seamer Prince Masvaure, drawing a reflex catch from Tafadzwa Ngulube. But he had done enough for his side.

Masvaure also removed number four Ali Asad for 39, but Naeem Anjum (28) and Anwar Ali (2) saw the tourists home.